Horse-detaching device.



No. 67|v,822.

(No Nudel.)

W/TNESSES Row/WW H. L. GRAY.

HORSE DETACHING DEV|CE.

(Appumion maling. 27, 1900;)

Patented Apr. 9, Ism.

FIG .1

UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE.

HOMER L. GRAY, OF MOSCA, COLORADO.

HORSE-DETACHING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 671,822, dated April 9, 1901.

Application filed August 27, 1900. Seriallio. 28,090. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, HOMER L. GRAY, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Mosca, county of Costilla and State of Colorado, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Horse-Detaching Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to an improved device for detaching a team of runaway horses from a moving vehicle; and the object thereof is to provide an eiicient means for this purpose which embodies a practicable and durable construction and which is applicable for attachment to any form of vehicle.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described and specifically set forth in the anneXed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating my improved device, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional elevation.

In the practice of my invention I employ,l primarily, a metallic plate A,which is secured to the upper rear portion of the carriage-pole l by means of screws a. This said plate is provided with recesses B and O to receive the i ends of an arched metallic strap D. The forward end of this strap D has a projected tongue d, which engages a groove l), extended from the recess B of the plate A, and the rearward end of said lstrap has a tongue d, which engages beneath a spring-actuated sliding plate E, adapted for normally locking the strap D in connected position relative to the plate A. To act as a further means for retaining the strap in place and add rigidity to the structure, integrally-forward lugs a and CL2 are extended from the upper surface of the plate A to engage the ends of the strap D.

Depending centrally from the strap D is a spindle F, which has a revoluble sleeve f thereon for carrying the tree 2. The lower end of this sleeve bears upon a flange f of the spindle F, and the bottom surface of this iiange is provided with a squared extension which engages recess a3 of the plate A, whereby the spindle is maintained in rigid position.

The spring-actuated plate E is connected to `the cylindrical head g of a rod G, which rod is held in place by means of a box or sheath H,which is secured to the plate A. This box is provided with a seniicirclar groove h, which registers with a similar groove a4 of the plate A, whereby a receptacle is formed for retaining the normally-expanded spiral spring I, which bears against the head g of the rod G to keep the plate E normally locked over the tongue d of the strap D. As a means for sliding the plate in a rearward direction against the action of the spring I a cam .I is provided. This cam is fulcrumed at-j beneath the plate E, and it extends through a slot e of said plate, whereby swinging motion of the cam in the direction of the arrow 3 causes the plate E to slide in a rearward direction to release the tongue CZ of the strap D. The said cam .I is provided at its forward portion with an eye j for engaging a chain K, adapted for operating the cam.

In the operation and use of the invention the several parts of the device are in normal relative arrangement, as illustrated in the drawings, and the chain K is carried rearwardly and loosely attached to the dashboard or other desirable part of the vehicle. Then when it is desired under emergency to release the team it is simply necessary to pull sharply upon the chain K, which operation slides the plate E rearwardly, releasing the strap and its connected tree and allowing the horses to carry said strap and .tree away from the pole.

I do not confine myself to the specific details of design and mechanical construction as herein shown and described, as it is ohvious that under the scope of my invention I am entitled to slight variations essential in applying my invention to various styles of vehicles.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isW

1. Asadevice for detachingrunawayhorses, the combination of the recessed base-plate attached to the pole of a vehicle, the removable strap engaging the recesses of the said plate, the spring-actuated, sliding plate locking the strap to the base-plate and the cam and chain for sliding the plate against the action of its spring, substantially as and for the purposepset forth.

IOO

2. In a device for detachin g runawayhorses, the combination with the pole, a stationary metallic plate fastened thereon, near the end thereof, lugs on said plate and recesses in said plate, of an arched metallic detachable strap engaging recesses in, and lugs on said= plate, tongues on said strap, adapted to effect such engagement, a spindle depending from the middle of said strap, a tree held by;

said spindle between said plate and said strap, a spring-actuated sliding plate, adapted and arranged looth to hold, and to release said strap, a rod Working in one of the re? cesses of the said stationary plate, and normally pressing said sliding plate upon the tongue of said strap to hold the same, a spiral spring on Ysaid rod to actuateyit, a cani pivoted in said stationary plate, and arranged and adapted to push back said sliding plate to release said strap, and a chain attached to said cam to afford facility for operating the .Smie all substantially as and for the purpose set` forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as lmy invention I have signed my name, in presence of two Witnesses, this 21st day of July, A. D. 1900.

vHOMER L. GRAY.

` Witnesses:

WILLIAM N. GRAY, WILLIAM HOPKINS. 

